Check Off Everyone On Your Nice List At the Union Square Holiday Market

The chill in the air, the festive songs blaring from your roommate’s radio, and the sense of impending doom that walks hand-in-hand with finals week may all clearly signal the dawn of the holiday season. But even more than wool coats, carolers, and the mad rush to finish term papers, I know the holidays are a comin’ when those tiny red and white striped booths invade my favorite neighborhood in Manhattan.

An old friend has returned for a visit: the Union Square Holiday Market will be open to a warm welcome by previous patrons and newcomers alike-until December 24. Expect to see smiling vendors, excited children, and more garland than you thought could exist in one place.

As a proud New York native, I have toured the booths and stocked up on trinkets every year since the time I received my first allowance. This market is the perfect place to buy your relatives quirky holiday gifts they most definitely don’t need. Tibetan crafts, accessories made from recycled plastic, and hand-blown glass figurines are only a few unique gift possibilities out of the thousands of offerings from more than 100 artistic purveyors.

If you think you’ve seen it all once too many, this year’s lineup will add touches of new to your holiday shopping experience. A host of brand new vendors will be making their grand debuts this year. Dijital Fix is bringing inventive gadgets, accessories, and art supplies to add a little techno-geeky fun to the market. I, for one, am already excited about Buckyballs, a ridiculously-fun looking creation. How could one resist with a description like this: “Imagine a Rubiks Cube that actually makes you smarter; an Erector Set that never stops erecting; a Hula Hoop you don’t look ridiculous playing with; Silly Putty that isn’t silly; cram it all in a jar, turn the fun up to 11, and you’ve got Buckyballs!”

So, skip the mobs at Macy’s and the hiked-up holiday shipping charges and head downtown to this fun and festive fair! [Editor’s Note: If you’re not up for the travel downtown, be sure to check out the market just next door at Columbus Circle, also sure to feature plenty of delightful gifts!]